‘24′ Star Dennis Haysbert To Lead Cast In ‘American Smuggler’ About Hunt For Drug Trafficker Craig Petties

Andreas Wiseman
·2-min read

EXCLUSIVE: 24, Major League and Far From Heaven star Dennis Haysbert is attached to lead cast in action-drama American Smuggler.

The film will chart the relentless hunt for Craig Petties, an American drug trafficker best known for the criminal empire he led in Memphis while operating in collaboration with Mexico’s infamous drug cartels. Haysbert will play a prominent CIA agent in the film.

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The project will hone in on the efforts of SEAL Team Six, Delta Force and the Mexican Marines, who painstakingly dismantled an international drug network that plagued communities across North America for decades. The story also brings to light the lesser-known tragedy of children forced to labor in El Chapo’s infamous tunnels, often losing their lives in collapses. Petties was sentenced to life in prison in 2013 at age 36 for his trafficking career and connection to multiple homicides.

The film will be written by Koji Steven Sakai (Skeletons in the Closet), Sam Wildhorse Bass of EuroAmerica Films and Tracy Matthews of Lion of Judah Productions. The screenplay will be based on Matthews’ experience as a civilian team leader during the operation.

Producers are David M. Matthews of Stone Gate Entertainment; Cheryl Martin and Troy Allen of CMA Entertainment; Jarnell Stokes, Isaiah Stokes, and Aisha Wynn of Stoked Bros Media; and Lion of Judah Productions.

Haysbert shares executive producer credits with Geevani Singh and retired member of SEAL Team Six Don Mann. Former professional football player and Navy SEAL Damian Jackson will consult.

Haysbert is best known for portraying President David Palmer in hit series 24, for which he was Golden Globe nominated, baseball player Pedro Cerrano in the Major League film trilogy, and for his role in Todd Haynes’ acclaimed drama Far From Heaven.

“This film offers a comprehensive view from all involved parties: the street hustlers, the drug cartel, and the team that captured El Chapo and rescued trafficked children. It’s a unique and vital story of exploitation, greed, and the valor of the soldiers who intervened,” said Mann. “American Smuggler promises to be an unforgettable cinematic and gaming experience that balances its pulse-pounding storytelling with a powerful message of hope and humanity.”

A Memphis native, NBA player-turned-producer Jarnell Stokes added: “At its heart, American Smuggler is much more than an action-packed drama. It’s a mission-driven project with a critical humanitarian goal: to not only entertain, but also educate and inspire action by bringing widespread awareness to the atrocities occurring to children around the world. We hope to be a voice for the voiceless and work toward creating meaningful change.”

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